Vacuum cleaner first look video reviews Dyson Ball DC40 and DC41

Dyson has launched three new upright ball vacuum cleaners - the DC41 Animal (£389.99), DC40 Animal (£369.99) and DC40 Multi Floor (£349.99). This second generation of its popular upright ball vacuum range has been re-vamped inside and out, and Dyson says the new models have better suction power than ever. We'll test these claims in our labs, but for now here are our first impressions of the new models.

UPDATE: The Dyson DC40 and DC41 upright vacuum cleaners have now been through our rigorous lab tests. Did they make the Best Buy grade? Find out by reading our full review of the DC40 Animal, DC40 Multi Floor or the DC41 Animal.

Improvements to manoeuvrability, ease of use and suction power are the key claimed upgrades to the new models. Watch our video guide to see them in action:

Dyson aims to distinguish itself from the rest of the vac pack with its Cyclone technology - which it says ensures that its vacs don't lose suction as they fill with dirt and dust. The theory behind this technology is that rather than relying on a bag to trap all the dust and dirt, Dyson's Cyclones spin the air 'so fast that centrifugal forces up to 150,000 times the force of gravity fling dust and dirt out of the air and straight into the clear bin.'

The cyclone technology in the new DC41 and DC40 vacuums has been refined to minimise barriers to airflow and increase suction power. We'll be testing this claim in the Which? test lab to see if it really makes a difference. 

In the meantime, from our quick try out at Dyson HQ our first impressions are that the manufacturer has worked to make its new models intelligent and adaptable so that keeping your home clean is as simple as possible.

Improved ease of use

The new models feature a clever self-adjusting floorhead, which automatically adapts to the floor surface you are vacuuming (see our video for a demonstration) - so you don't have to flick a switch when you go from carpet to a hard floor, for example. We saw this in action and it seemed to work well, making vacuuming across multiple surfaces effortless.

Dyson has also re-designed the washable filter, placing it in the middle of the cyclone, so that it is easy to remove and clean. We found it easily accessible and convenient to remove. 

The new models feature a lever-free reclining mechanism which automatically releases when you pull the vacuum towards you, instead of having to press a release pedal. In action, this mechanism seemed to be fairly seamless.

Slimline profile is more manoeuvrable

Alongside its Cyclone function, Dyson also champions its Ball technology. The theory behind Ball technology is that the manufacturer believes that fixed wheels make vacs hard to manoeuvre. Dyson Ball vacuums ride on a ball instead, which pivots around itself so you can change direction more easily. We've tested this technology at the Which? test lab in some of Dyson's older models - see our reviews of the Dyson DC24 Ball Multi Floor and Dyson DC25 Ball Animal for our official verdict.

Dyson has streamlined the exterior of its latest DC40 and DC41 upright ball models by fitting previously external elements inside the ball, resulting in what the manufacturer says will be improved handling. It certainly seemed easier to get around obstacles, although the size of the ball means that you still wouldn't get as far under a sofa as you would with a cylinder vacuum.

Three options to choose from

All three models share the above improvements but there are some key differences:

• The DC41 has a larger capacity and claims to have market-leading suction power. We did find it a little cumbersome though.
• The DC40 models are slightly smaller and easier to manoeuvre, but this does mean they have a smaller capacity than the DC41. 
• The DC40 Animal and DC41 Animal also come with a mini turbo tool for cleaning upholstery. 

First look verdict

These second generation Dyson Ball vacuums look to have some nifty upgrades from the previous models, which should make vacuuming easier and faster. The previous models were Best Buys, but we'll have to wait and see if the new models offer tangible improvements in performance, and how they compare to new models from other brands, once we get the test results back.

Pros: Claimed powerful suction, self-adjusting floorhead, easy to manoeuvre

Cons: DC41 is a bit heavy, canister can be tricky to re-attach on all models